National Engineers Week will bring engineering to life for students nationwide with live events, online challenges and classroom contest

WALTHAM, Mass., Feb. 15, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Hovercrafts will zoom across land, scientists will mix beakers full of colorful eruptions, and students will "re-engineer" their schools – as Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) kicks off its nationwide celebration of National Engineers Week (Feb. 17-23). The weeklong festivities will showcase the positive impact of engineers on society and bring science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) to life for tomorrow's workforce.

"National Engineers Week is an ideal time to encourage students to explore science, technology, engineering and math," said Raytheon Chairman and CEO William H. Swanson. "Each year, we hope the visibility and the week's 'learn-by-doing' engineering experience inspires students nationwide to become a new generation of innovators."

As part of Raytheon's commitment to STEM education, employees will host live events and hands-on engineering activities in partnership with local community schools and organizations. Raytheon volunteers will help thousands of students experience engineering concepts firsthand, while the company's flagship STEM program, MathMovesU®, engages students and teachers via Facebook in an online challenge, contest and discussion.

Highlights of planned activities include:

"Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day": Raytheon engineers nationwide will educate young women about the benefits of embarking on STEM careers by taking them out of the classroom and into the field with practical activities to help them see how math and science shape the world around them.

"Build it Better" Contest: Teachers and students will be challenged to engineer an aspect of their school life – from lunch lines to monkey bars to desk configuration – describing how they would design it better, for a chance to win up to $2,000 for their classroom. The contest opens Monday, Feb.18. More information can be found on the MathMovesU Facebook page.

"How I Engineered My Future":MathMovesU will invite its Facebook community to share stories of how they built their careers or are working toward a future in the STEM workforce.

Sum of all Thrills™ Certified Coaster Crafter: Walt Disney World's®Epcot® park guests will use kinetic energy and the laws of physics to see what makes a thrill ride soar.

"Surfing On Air" in Boston: Students will be challenged to build their own mini hovercrafts, at Boston's Hynes Convention Center Feb. 16-17 – one of several activities that Raytheon brings to Family Science Days at the Annual Meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

"Science from Scientists" in Foxboro, Mass.: Raytheon and The Hall at Patriot Place presented by Raytheon at Gillette Stadium will host Boys & Girls Club members as they participate in a fun-filled day of exploring engineering concepts with "Doctor Erika" and crew.

"MathAlive!" in Houston: The interactive, traveling math exhibit will arrive at the Space Center Houston on Feb. 23.

"Engineering is Awesome" in Tucson, Ariz.: High school students from the University of Arizona's "Engineering 102" program will participate in five different hands-on engineering activities.

Straw Rocket Challenge, El Segundo, Calif.: Middle school students will participate in interactive math and science activities – such as the straw rocket launch challenge – during this day-long event. Students also will learn about emitted heat signatures and have their pictures taken via Raytheon's Forward Looking Infrared Sensor, and use an interactive globe to view the Earth. Shayla Rivera, "The Funny Rocket Scientist," will headline the event.

"Engineering Games" in Goleta, Calif: High school students will be challenged to build a Sterling cycle engine out of everyday items, including a coffee can.

For more information about Raytheon's involvement in National Engineers Week, as well as the company's commitment to STEM education, visit www.raytheon.com. Raytheon's focus on STEM education and workforce preparedness is part of its MathMovesU® program.

About MathMovesURaytheon's MathMovesU® program is an initiative committed to increasing middle and elementary school students' interest in math and science education by engaging them in hands-on, interactive activities. The innovative programs of MathMovesU include the traveling interactive experience MathAlive!™; Raytheon's Sum of all Thrills™ experience at INNOVENTIONS at Epcot®, which showcases math in action as students design and experience their own thrill ride using math fundamentals; the "In the Numbers" game, a partnership with the New England Patriots on display at The Hall at Patriot Place presented by Raytheon; the company's ongoing sponsorship of the MATHCOUNTS® National Competition; and the MathMovesU scholarship and grant program. Follow MathMovesU and other Raytheon community outreach programs on Facebook and on Twitter @MathMovesU.

About RaytheonRaytheon Company, with 2012 sales of $24 billion and 68,000 employees worldwide, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 91 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration and other capabilities in the areas of sensing; effects; and command, control, communications and intelligence systems; as well as a broad range of mission support services. Raytheon is headquartered in Waltham, Mass. For more about Raytheon, visit us at www.raytheon.com and follow us on Twitter @raytheon.